Lyrics
SPOKEN: Well, I think, whenever there's a deep tragedy,
Introduction to the theme of tragedy and the ridiculous.
There's also present something of the ridiculous.
Noting the coexistence of the ridiculous with deep tragedy.
So I'd like to do you a song now,
Expressing the intent to perform a song, "Talking Birmingham Jam."
Called "Talking Birmingham Jam."
Announcing the title of the song.
Walkin' down to Birmingham, 'way down South in Dixie land,
Setting the scene of walking to Birmingham in the South.
I thought that I would stop awhile,
Describing the decision to take a vacation in the South with ironic references to Southern hospitality and hospitals.
Take a vacation, Southern style.
-Got some Southern hospitality,
-Down there in a Southern hospital.
-Well, all the signs there said, "Welcome in,
Describing the discriminatory welcome in Birmingham, emphasizing segregation and racial tension.
Welcome, if you're White, my friend.
-Come along, and watch the fights;
-Well, we feed our dogs on Civil Rights.
-We believe in Segregation --
-Negroes in one mob,
-Policemen, politicians, dogs in the other!"
-Well, I've seen travelin' many ways,
Reflecting on diverse modes of travel and referencing the use of fire hoses on protestors in Birmingham.
I've traveled in cars and old subways.
-But in Birmingham, some people chose
-The flight on the street from a fire hose,
-Doin' some hard travelin',
-From hydrants a-plenty!
-Well, a pack of dogs was standin' by,
Engaging with a pack of dogs, using them metaphorically to highlight prejudice.
I walked up to them and I said "Hi."
-Well, I asked one dog what they all were doin';
-He walked up to me and started chewin' --
-It was a black dog,
-Seems ev'rybody down there is prejudiced!
-Well, I said, "There must be some man around,
Introducing figures like Bull Connor and the Governor, critiquing their roles in maintaining segregation.
There can't be only you dogs in town."
-They said, "Sure, we have Old Bull Connor,
-There he goes, walkin' yonder,
-Throwin' some raw meat to the Mayor,
-Feedin' bones to the City Council!"
-Well, I said, "There's still something missing here,
-You must have a Governor, somewhere."
-"Sure, he's done his duty, he ain't no fool,
-He's blocking our kids from our schools,
-Standin' in the doorway, crackin' jokes,
-Gettin' re-elected!"
-So I asked 'em how they spent their time
Discussing the response to those opposing segregation, suggesting leaving the country.
With Segregation on their mind.
-They said, "If you don't like to live this way,
-Get outa here, go back to the U.S.A,
-Live with all them Russians,
-New York agitators!"
-Some say they'd passed their darkest hour,
Commenting on moderates in power, cautioning against pushing them to prevent a return of extremists.
Those moderates are back in power.
-They'll listen close, with open ears,
-They'll help us out in a couple a-hundred years;
-But don't push 'em, whatever you do,
-Or else you get those extremists back in!
-You see, Alabama is a sovereign state,
Describing Alabama as a sovereign state with strong views against communism and a reference to historical events.
With sovereign dogs and sovereign hate.
-They stand for the Bible, for the Constitution,
-They stand against Communist revolution.
-They say, "It's Pinkoes like you
-That free the slaves!"
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